The tax implications of running a property business are diverse and often complicated. The support section of Commercial Trust includes a number of articles on landlord tax. Here you can find a collected summary of everything you need to be aware of, and links to further reading.

The main landlord tax liabilities

If you are a landlord, tax will need to be paid on your rental income and any gains made from the sale of your commercial property. In addition, there may be some occasions when you need to pay council tax.

Tax on buy to let Income

You need to declare to HMRC, via a self-assessment income tax return, any income you make from a buy to let / rental property. The deadline for the submission of this form is either 31 October following the end of the relevant tax year (for paper forms) or 31 January (for online forms). The deadline for registration is 5 October following the end of the tax year.

You will pay tax at the basic rate (20%), higher rate (40%) or additional rate (45%), depending on your income. Certain business expenses can be offset against your rental income, reducing your landlord tax bill. Be sure to keep evidence of, and declare to HMRC:

Capital gains tax

You also pay some tax on the profit of a sale of any commercial property, including a rental property. If you sell more than one property or any other asset in a single year, you need to work out the total gain; if you have made losses in one area, this will offset tax payable on profits in another. Losses in previous years can also be offset, provided you haven’t already claimed for them.

You can also offset expenses incurred in buying, selling or boosting the value of your property, such as:

Estate agent fees, conveyancing and solicitor’s costs

Stamp duty land tax

The cost of improving or adding value to the property

The costs of advertising the property to buyers

Depending on how much of the property you have let out and for how long you have let it, you may also qualify for ‘private residence’ and/or ‘lettings’ relief. For more information about how these can reduce your landlord tax bill, see the ‘useful reading’ section below.

Council tax

There are occasions when you, and not your tenants, may have to pay council tax. These are:

During voids. How much council tax you have to pay whilst your property is empty, and whether you can claim a discount if it is undergoing major repairs or refurbishment, will depend on your local authority.

If you let a house in multiple occupation (HMO). If your property is considered an HMO, you will be required to pay council tax instead of your tenants.

If your tenants are students, neither you nor they will need to pay council tax; however, the onus is on you to obtain your tenants’ council tax exemption certificates and prove this to the council.

Useful reading

The following articles contain useful and in-depth information on more specific areas of landlord tax: